SEISMIC PERFORMANCE OF SINGLE-LAYER SPHERICAL RETICULATED SHELLS CONSIDERING JOINT STIFFNESS AND BEARING CAPACITY

Abstract

Fabricated joints are gradually applied in architectural structures because of their advantages of good economy, high installation quality and efficiency. However, the mechanical properties of this kind of joint are semi-rigid differing from traditional rigid and hinged joints. Therefore, the performance of the structures with such joints is not clear, which greatly limits the wide application of fabricated joints. This paper presents the investigation on the seismic performance of the semi-rigid single-layer reticulated shell structure (SRSS) under earthquake load by numerical simulation and theoretical analysis. A finite element model (FEM) of the semi-rigid reticulated shell was established. The influence of joint stiffness on the seismic performance of semi-rigid SRSS was obtained by taking both initial defects and material damage accumulation into account. The two design parameters, limit stiffness ratio and limit yield moment of the joints, were proposed for the semi-rigid reticulated shells. The influence of the roof span, roof weight and member section on the two design parameters was obtained and the calculation formula was established. The seismic force coefficient for the semi-rigid SRSS was obtained, which can provide support for the seismic design of semi-rigid SRSS.